From rich investment pieces to fun, cheap thrills, read below to find out the fashions that are worth every penny. Also check out some of Bazaar's luxe-for-less fall finds.

Everybody, even the most avid of style seekers, loves a bargain. In the pursuit of saving a few hundred dollars, they'll stand in line for hours at, say, Madewell waiting for Alexa Chung's collaboration to hit the racks, or they'll gamely strip down to their skivvies at crowded sample sales to try on marked-down merch. In recent years, they've begun scouring discount-shopping Web sites, the latest of which comes courtesy of e-tail giant Amazon.com. The online behemoth launched a members-only flash-sale site called MyHabit.com. But a wardrobe — particularly for fall — cannot subsist on bargains alone. And while it always seems like the smart and stylish have an innate algorithm for where to indulge their credit limit and where to cut back, with a bit of expert advice, you too can calculate your own perfect spending formula.

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"Fall is the perfect time to splurge on the items you covet most," says Marissa Webb, the head of women's design for J. Crew. "I love the richness of outerwear, and heading into the cold season, this is where I would invest. You'll be wearing your coat a lot, so make sure you love it!" And never was there a better season for outerwear. From the stellar puffed-up ponchos at Alexander Wang to the rich fur-trimmed parkas at Altuzarra, statement coats definitely made a statement for autumn. These dramatic toppers, which include a neatly tailored yellow overcoat from the Row and modern military versions courtesy of Louis Vuitton, Burberry Prorsum, and Versace, also introduced the concept of chic outerwear as a singular look. "With a fabulous coat, it almost doesn't matter what you're wearing underneath," says Colleen Sherin, senior fashion director for Saks Fifth Avenue. "A gorgeous one instantly makes you look and feel pulled together."

Sherin goes on to point out another one of fall's modern must-haves: "Chunky textured knitwear was a key trend from the runways and can be found at a range of price points." Ringing in at the higher end were the geometric patterns from Proenza Schouler, the plush pocketed crewneck at Yves Saint Laurent, and many incarnations of traditional Alpine knits from Jil Sander, Dries Van Noten, and Isabel Marant. Luxe and lavish, these sumptuous sweaters were shown with everything from basic black trousers to contrasting printed pants. However, if you want to go a more practical route, the affordable cardigans at Banana Republic, Uniqlo, and J. Crew ring in under $100 and are great for layering. Another luxe-for-less option? The divine cable knits at both Marc by Marc Jacobs (in a warm rust shade) and Theyskens' Theory (in a deep heather gray), straight from the runway.

Model Elettra Wiedemann looked to the runways to distill her list of fall buys, which focused on smart tailoring. "The suits at Stella McCartney were fabulous," she says of the exaggerated-shoulder ensembles, in a silhouette that went on to define the season. Tuxedo dressing is one area where more is more. A beautifully crafted suit will last you for years to come, and the stellar options at Yves Saint Laurent (in stark white), Dolce & Gabbana (with strong menswear influences), and Givenchy (done elegantly for evening) are certain to score major points in the cost-per-wear department. On the flip side, deals like Zara's double-breasted blazers (approximately $100), Topshop's brightly colored languid jackets (under $100), and H&M's soft linen numbers (around $50) carry a similar classic appeal but are a little easier on the wallet.

For a more feminine feel, turn to the plethora of day dresses that popped up in New York, Paris, and everywhere in between at houses like Marni, Erdem, and Miu Miu. These long-sleeved, just-below-the-knee frocks came covered in botanical motifs, impressionist paint splatters, and amplified plaids, all offering a vivid respite to an otherwise neutral palette. Lucky for us, a dress is another item that doesn't have to break the bank. Laure Hériard Dubreuil, cofounder of Miami's hippest destination boutique, the Webster, agrees: "I fell in love with Prova's silk dresses and scarves in zebra, flower, and camouflage prints that are very light and fresh." The price: around $425. Other standouts include Sea NYC's long-sleeved tiered chiffon number (also one of Hériard Dubreuil's favorites, at $425) and Juicy Couture's ever-popular striped cotton T-shirt dress, $158. Kelly Wearstler's new line has eccentric separates covered in artful abstractions that reflect the style icon's signature quirkiness and retail for less than $600. Day to night, these wearable pieces possess just the right amount of statement-making pop.

If you are more in the market for a final touch that will perfectly accent your outfit, do like the designers did: Add an elegant fur finish. Autumn's best options came spotted, fluffed, and even brightly hued. (Think emerald greens, ruby reds, and even banana yellows.) Frida Giannini at Gucci, Michael Kors, and Isabel Marant wowed with pieces that ranged from brilliant boleros to simple stoles — emphasizing the point that even a little fur will go a long way.

For further bang for your buck, look to small doses of color. Rachel Roy's fire-engine tie-neck blouse is the perfect example of an of-the-moment purchase that won't leave you snipping up your credit cards. Her creation offers the perfect shot of red, mirroring some of the best looks from the season at shows like at Prabal Gurung, Rodarte, and Jil Sander. Another great pick-me-up: python. The chic skin graced many a runway — from handheld pouches at Prada to sleek boots at Valentino as well as the clutches at Nina Ricci — but you can get the look for less with a shiny stamped version like Nine West's $59 bag. This season, being stylish has a price, both high and low.